Dual action electrical switch



Match 29, 1966 R. E. BRADY DUAL ACTION ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed May 28, 1964 INVENTOR ROSS E. BRADY.

HIS ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,243,528 DUAL ACTION ELECTRICAL SWITCH Ross E. Brady, Whitesboro, N.Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 28, 1964, Ser. No. 371,024 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-4) This invention relates to electrical switches, and particularly to an electrical dual-action switch which can be used alternatively as a momentary switch and as a continuous switch.

Dual-action switches are sometimes desirable which can be used, at will, for either a short-time momentary actuation of a circuit or for a long-time continuous actuation of a circuit. For example, such a switch is useful for actuating a dial-lamp of a clock, so that the dial can be illuminated, at will, either momentarily or continuously. Such a switch also is useful for actuating a dial lamp of a radio, so that the lamp can be turned on momentarily for tuning a station or for noting the tuning frequency; or, if desired, the lamp can be left on continuously while the radio is operating or for a period of time while tuning from station to station.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-action switch.

Another object is to provide an improved dual-action switch which is reliable in operation and economical to manufacture.

A further object is to provide an improved dual-action switch which is convenient to operate.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawing.

The switch of the invention functions both as a pushbutton switch for momentary actuation, and as a rotary switch for continuous actuation, and comprises, basically and in a preferred embodiment, an actuation plunger supported so as to be both rotatable and slideable, an end thereof being beveled, and a switch means comprising a movable switch member positioned adjacent to and shaped to conform at least in part to the beveled end of the actuation plunger, whereby pushing the actuation plunger will cause momentary operation of the switch when the plunger is aligned in a rotary position causing the beveled end thereof to be mated with the movable switch member, and whereby rotating the actuation plunger one-half of a turn will cause continuous operation of the switch.

In the drawing,

FIGURE 1 is a side-view of a preferred embodiment of the switch of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view of a portion of FIGURE 1, showing the switch in its momentary functioning position;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of a portion of the switch of FIGURE 1, showing its functioning as a continuous switch;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the switch in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a View similar to FIGURE 5, showing the switch in its continuous switching position;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawing, numeral 11 indicates a frame which may be a part of a radio cabinet or a clock bezel or case. An elongated cylindrical actuation plunger 12 is journaled in a bushing 13 carried by the frame 11, so that the plunger 12 can be rotated or pushed longitudinally at will. A front end 14 of the plunger 12 extends Patented Mar. 29', 1966 frontwardly from the frame 11 so as to be exposed for actuation, and if desired may carry a knob 16 which is spaced sutficiently from the front surface of the frame '11 to permit a limited longitudinal motion of the plunger 12, as well as rotation thereof. The rear end of the plunger 12 is beveled, as indicated by numeral 17. A front electrical contact blade 18 and a rear electrical contact blade 19 are positioned substantially mutually parallel and held to the frame 11 by means of a screw 21 extending through openings in the contact blades 18, 19, and into a stud member 22 which projects rearwardly from the frame 11. These blades 18 and 19 are preferably made from resilient metal such as Phosphor bronze or spring steel. A spacer 23 of electrically insulating material is positioned between the blades 18- and 19, both to space them and to electrically insulate them at their point of attachment. Electrical connection, such as a dial lamp circuit, may be made to the contact blades 18 and 19 at tabs 26 and 27 extending therefrom. The contact blades 18 and 19 extend to a point behind the actuation plunger 12. The front contact blade 18 is shaped at the end thereof to conform to the beveled end 17 of the actuating plunger 12, as indicated by the numeral 28, and preferably is in direct mechanical contact against the rear end of the plunger 12.

When the plunger 12 is in a rotary position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the sloped shape 28 of the front contact blade 18 mates with the beveled rear end 17 of the plunger 12, and the contact blades 18 and 19 are physically separated so as not to make electrical contact therebetween. When the plunger 12 is pushed inwardly, such as by pushing the knob 16, the front contact blade 18 becomes deflected so as to make electrical contact with the rear contact blade 19, as illustrated in FIGURE 2. This constitutes the momentary electrical contact function of the switch. This momentary electrical connec tion between the contact blades 18 and 19 is made so long as the plunger 12 is held in its inward position as shown in FIGURE 2. Upon releasing the plunger 12, the resiliency of the front contact blade 18 moves the plunger 12 frontwardly to its rest condition as shown in FIGURE 1, and the contact blades 18 and 19 become separated from each other to break the electrical connection of the switch.

To actuate the switch for continuous operating, the plunger 12 is turned for example by rotating the knob 16 one-half of a turn as illustrated in FIGURE 3, whereupon the beveled end portion 17 urges the front contact blade rearwardly into contact against the rear contact blade 19. The switch is held in this position due to the rearmost part 29 of the plunger 12 engaging in locking manner against the front contact blade 18 at a region thereof immediately above and adjacent to the slanted portion 28 thereof, as indicated by the numeral 31 in FIGURE 3. The switch will remain in this closed position, without further attention, so long as is desired. When it is desired to open the switch, the knob 16 is rotated 180 in either direction to its rest position as shown in FIGURE 1, whereupon the switch blade 18 moves away from the blade 19 thereupon opening the electrical connection.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 8, the parts corresponding to the first described embodiment are given similar numbers. The actuation plunger 12 and its functioning are the same as in the first described embodiment. The switching means, however, includes the addition of an auxiliary plunger 36 having a beveled front end 37 which corresponds to, and can mate with, the bevel 17 of the actuating plunger 12. The auxiliary plunger 36 has a rib 38 along the side thereof, which extends into a longitudinal groove 39 in the bushing 13 for preventing rotary motion of the as to fit in and against a dimple 42 provided in the front contact blade 18'. When the knob 16 is pressed in, the plunger 12 and auxiliary plunger 36 move the front contact blade 18 into electrical contact against the rear contact blade 19, thereby closing the switch momentarily for as long as the knob 16 is pressed. Upon releasing the knob 16, the resiliency of the front blade 18 restores the assembly to the restcondition as shown in FIGURE 5. Rotating the knob 16 180 causes the beveled surfaces v17 and 37 to move apart, thereby moving the auxiliary plunger 36 rearwardly to cause the blade 18' to engage electrically against the rear blade 19, as shown in FIGURE 6. The switch will remain closed in this position until the knob 16 is rotated back to its rest position as illustrated in FIGURE 5. As is illustrated, the beveled surfaces 17 and 37 do not terminate in sharp points on the members 12 and 36; instead, lateral planar surfaces 43 are provided at these points for greater .strength and so that the plungers 12 and 36 can rotate smoothly with respect to each other and reliably remain in the continuously switched position of FIGURE 6.

In both of the above described embodiments, the rear surface of the knob 16 abuts against the front surface of the frame 11 when in the extreme rearward position, thus limiting the rearward motion of the plun-gers and preventing injury to the contact blades 18 and 19 as would be the case if they were deflected beyond reasonable limits. If desired, certain parts of the construction may be made of electrically insulating material, for example the plunger 12 and/ or the frame 11, and knob 16, to isolate persons from the electrical voltage present at the contact blades 18 and 19. If the knob 16 and plunger 12 are of metal, the embodiment of FIGURES -8 is preferred wherein the auxiliary plunger 36 is made of insulating material such as plastic to prevent electrical shock and shorted circuits. Although a normally open type of switch has been shown by way of example, various other types of switch arrangements may be employed in connection with the invention if so desired.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various other embodiments and modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will fall Within the scope of invention as defined in the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A dual action electrical switch, comprising an actuation plunger supported so as to be both rotatable and slideable, an end of said plunger being beveled, a switch means comprising a moveable switch member positioned over and shaped to conform at least in part to the beveled end. of the actuation plunger, and biasing means urging said switch member toward said beveled end of the plunger, whereby pushing the actuation plunger will cause momentary actuation of said switch member when said plunger is aligned in a rotary position causing mating of the beveled end of the plunger with the moveable switch member, and whereby rotating said actuation plunger a partial turn and out of mating alignment with said switch member will cause continuous actuation of said switch member.

2. A dual action electrical switch, comprising a frame member, an elongated cylindrical actuation plunger journaled in said frame member for both axial and rotary motions, means at the front end of said plunger for actuation thereof, the rear end of said plunger being beveled,

and an electrical contact blade attached to said frame member and extending over said beveled rear end of the plunger, a portion of said contact blade conforming to said beveled end of the plunger, sai-d contact blade being resiliently biased toward said beveled end of the plunger, whereby pushing said actuation plunger will cause momentary displacement of said contact blade when said plunger is aligned in a rotary position causing mating of the beveled end of the plunger with said portion of the contact blade, and whereby rotating said plunger a partial turn and out of mating alignment with said contact blade will cause,

continuous displacement of said contact blade.

3. A dual action electrical switch, comprising a frame member, an elongated actuation plunger and an auxiliary plunger journaled in tandem in said frame member, said actuation plunger being moveable both rotatably and axially in said frame member, means causing said auxiliary plunger to be movable only axially in sai-d frame member, means at the front end of said actuation plunger for actuation thereof, each of the mutually adjacent ends of said plungers being beveled, and moveable electrical contact positioned over the rear end of said auxiliary plunger, and biasing means urging said electrical contact toward said rear end of the auxiliary plunger, whereby pushing said actuation plunger will cause momentary displacement of said contact when said actuation plunger is aligned in a rotary position causing mating of said mutally adjacent beveled ends, and whereby rotating saidactuation plunger a partial turn and out of mating alignment with said auxiliary plunger will cause continuous displacement of said contact.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,196,662 8/1916 Chebrou et al. 200-153 1,989,277 1/1935 Jeffrey 200153 2,967,215 1/1961 Whiting 200153 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,045,916 12/1953 France.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner. M. GINSBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DUAL ACTION ELECTRICAL SWITCH, COMPRISING AN ACTUATION PLUNGER SUPPORTED SO AS TO BE BOTH ROTATABLE AND SLIDEABLE, AND END OF SAID PLUNGER BEING BEVELED, A SWITCH MEANS COMPRISING A MOVEABLE SWITCH MEMBER POSITIONED OVER AND SHAPED TO CONFORM AT LEAST IN PART TO THE BEVELED END OF THE ACTUATION PLUNGER, AND BIASING MEANS URGING SAID SWITCH MEMBER TOWARD SAID BEVELED END OF THE PLUNGER, WHEREBY PUSHING THE ACTUATION PLUNGER WILL CAUSE MOMENTARY ACTUATION OF SAID SWITCH MEMBER WHEN SAID PLUNGER IS ALIGNED IN A ROTARY POSITION CAUSING MATING OF THE BEVELED END OF THE PLUNGER WITH THE MOVEABLE SWITCH MEMBER, AND WHEREBY ROTATING SAID ACTUATION PLUNGER A PARTIAL TURN AND OUT OF MATING ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SWITCH MEMBER WILL CAUSE CONTINUOUS ACTUATION OF SAID SWITCH MEMBER. 